- University’s Spaceman: On a Mission, Down to Earth - November 5, 2019
- Slices of Life from the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention - October 29, 2019
Outside of the Carlson Center the stench of cigarette smoke stings the base of the throat. Numerous plumes of smoke surround the vendors and benches outside the door making the air so pungent that you can almost taste the ash. Six tables of vendors greet visitors to Alaska Federation of Natives convention. Their goods include strips of smoked salmon, savory meats hunted in the villages, and handmade beaded hats, gloves, and mukluks.
“Are you registered to vote miss?’ shouts a tall African American man. He’s soliciting signatures for a petition reflecting the concerns of many about the proposed pebble mine project.
Three food trucks parked to the right of the Carlson Center doors are bustling and raucous. The squawk of completed orders carries over the murmuring of the crowd. The Alaska Cheesesteak truck seems to have the most business, or maybe it’s just making the most racket. Hard to tell.
Four wrinkled native men huddle together speaking so low and fast that it’s unclear if it’s English or native tongues. Elders hobble towards the entrance. Within a few minutes of watching by the Carlson Center’s main doors four or five wheelchair users or cane-wielding elders slowly make their way inside.
Outside the doors, there is revealed friendly embraces, ear to ear grins, and overjoyed exclamations. Most are wearing kuspuks or other Native Alaskan garb. Some of the vendors in the craft tent sell kuspuks as well. The material appears to be thin cotton, but the colors and patterns range immensely. One woman is wearing an ebony black kuspuk with lime green trim, and another’s swirls in a pale pink pattern with purple trim.
The craft tent hosts many vendors selling traditional Native Alaskan clothing pieces; mukluks, parkas, and kuspuks; as well as hats, gloves, and beaded hair pieces. Most of these winter gear items are lined in a variety of furs such as caribou, beaver, spotted seal, and an occasional fox. The scent of fur is a powerful musk in the craft tents. Some caribou pelts smell like musty moth balls. However, beaver pelt is often used for smaller items like gloves, hats, and sometimes mukluks. These sheared beaver pelts are soft to the touch. More so than arctic hare and fluffier as well.
The craft tent appeared to attract more people per square foot than other parts of this AFN convention. The crowd’s garble isn’t overwhelming. The cheery voices all interacting makes the hum feel warm.
About a quarter of the vendors are showcasing handmade bead work in the form of wind chimes, dream catchers, or even Christmas ornaments. Among the most ornate pieces are hair clips. Most of these have arctic roses or forget-me-not designs, but there are also quite a few that have mandalas and other intricate geometric patterns.
